Japenese Beetles and Imidacloprid

OK - seems that in the last week we had THE Japanese Beetle hatch and wow are they hungry. Every day I go out and kill the little fornicators in a number of ways and I find it quite enjoyable.

What I do not like is that they are going after my Autumn Blaze Maple. SO - game on.

I purchased some systemic spray for my trees and shrubs and feel I should warn you. What I'm using is called Systemic Insect Spray made by Bonide. The main killer is a chemical called Imidacloprid. This does a great great on on Jap Beetles but also is very very bad for bees. In fact Imidacloprid seems to be the leading cause of colony collapse disorder.

SO if you use it do not used it on flower.  Use it on anything that bees do not like, like trees and so forth. It's toxic to birds but really only if they are surrounded  and ingest it.  Not by touching it.  Ducks, who will eat beetles can have egg problems

Interesting stuff.  When you spray it the temp MUST be below 80 degrees. What it does is paralyze the insect and thus causes death.  I don't like using chemicals at all but for surgical strikes to save trees and non flowering shrubs I'll do it.

I'll continue to put Milky Spore on my lawn every fall as a long term solution.

Just thought I would let you know.
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Check out this map - map generated by highlighting tweets mentioning "beer" by county vs, those that mention Church.  It shows how much cultural beliefs also drive voting behavior ultimately.

Talk to ya later.